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Last year, for the first time in 11 years, Lexus was not the best-selling luxury brand in the U.S., due primarily to the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated Japan and its commercial industries in general, and Lexus‘ manufacturing capabilities specifically. The brand, some surmised, was down for the count. But, like all underdogs whose true strength lies in their indefatigable spirit, Lexus has made it clear it intends to defy all odds.

Intent on addressing the previous models’ shortcomings, the company has its sights set on resurgence with the introduction of the 2013 LS 460. The new LS is what Lexus deems “a significantly redesigned version of the current fourth-generation LS.” How significant? Roughly half of the flagship’s 6000 parts have been upgraded.

With this reengineered platform and a newfound focus on driver engagement from parent company president and CEO Akio Toyoda, it appears Lexus is heading in a new direction. Long heralded for its safety and reliability, the nameplate hasn’t been synonymous with performance-oriented platforms — but Lexus is hoping the 2013 LS lineup will change that.

The fifth-generation flagship sedan will be available in three familiar models with powertrains carried over from the current lineup. These include the standard LS 460, the stretched-wheelbase LS 460 L, and the LS 600h L Hybrid. The big news splashed across these pages is the new enthusiast-oriented LS 460 F Sport variant that Lexus hopes will provide a driving experience dynamic enough to transform the way you think of the brand.

The LS 460 F Sport goes a half-step beyond simple badge and wheel upgrades, but not as far the hot-rod transformation of baby brother IS F. Engine output has been bumped from 380 hp to 386, and is routed through an eight-speed transmission (now with paddle shifters) and Torsen limited-slip differential. Lexus claims the F Sport’s lowered ride height, revised air suspension and steering, and Brembo brakes substantially improve the flagship’s handling. Further sportiness is available via a revised electronics package that includes five different drive modes. As you’d expect, the F Sport has several exterior cues signaling its increased athleticism, including an exclusive front grille mesh pattern, unique front and rear lower bumper fascias, round LED foglamps, and 19-inch wheels in a dark graphite finish.

The F Sport is the sporting extreme for the brand and showcases “the bold new face of Lexus” gradually appearing across all models. Lexus calls its familial front-end treatment the “spindle grille” in homage to Toyota‘s earliest days as a loom works. Clever as that reference may be, the chrome grille surround pulled in at the waist looks like a tweaked version of Audi‘s current corporate face, and is more derivative than unique. The same can be said of the new taillight treatment; the parallel light-pipes deftly recall the Lexus logo, but also look eerily similar to the design on the current BMW 7 Series.

Overall, the F Sport’s more pronounced fenders and lowered ride height give it a planted, driver’s-car stance that is aerodynamically aggressive. A revised lower valence panel directs airflow beneath the car, while small fins added toward the back and by the side mirrors smooth turbulence over the side of the car, reducing wind noise in the cabin.

The interior was designed to keep pace with the exterior, with aluminum pedals, unique trim, deeply bolstered leather F Sport seats, and an array of technological gadgetry. Not only is there a massive 12.3-inch (diagonal) multimedia display, and an abundance of ambient lighting, but there’s also a wealth of less obvious, thoughtful touches like the analog clock that automatically adjusts to time zones and the Climate Concierge, which lets the driver heat or cool the steering wheel, seats, and cabin at the push of one button. Also new this year is the Lexus Enform App Suite, which allows you to use the interactive 12.3-inch screen to access such apps as Pandora, iHeartRadio, and movietickets.com via your smartphone, and can be controlled with voice commands. Rear passengers in long-wheelbase versions equipped with the Executive Seating Package can enjoy high-definition Blu-ray DVDs on the rear-seat entertainment screen.

Carrying forth its dedication to safety features, Lexus added a pre-collision system to the dynamic radar cruise control that automatically brakes whenever there is a speed differential of at least 24 mph. Also available are blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and Lane Keep Assist with a Lane Departure Alert that warns the driver with an audible tone and engages steering assist.

Describing it as the most techno-logically advanced Lexus ever built, the company believes the LS 460 F Sport can serve as the flagship while also offering cutting-edge sporting capabilities. Although there is always a good deal of risk and trepidation when revamping a flagship model, Lexus understands it can’t stand still. The pressure is on with a new fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class expected later next year and the BMW 7 Series undergoing a refresh. The competition is unrelenting, and it’s time for Lexus to prove it has revived the DNA that made the first LS so formidable.

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